Actual Astronomy - A Listener's Dream Observatory

Actual Astronomy - A Listener's Dream Observatory

Author: 365DaysOfAstronomy.org March 19, 2026 Duration: 1:03:34

Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com

A listener builds their dream observatory on Episode 529 of the Actual Astronomy podcast. I'm Chris and joining me is Shane. We are amateur astronomers who love looking up at the night sky and this podcast is for everyone who enjoys going out under the stars.

 

We have a special guest joining us today, listener Kevin Duchscherer is joining us to share his Observatory Progress.

- Where are you located Kevin?

- How long have you been a listener?

- Tell us about how you became interested in astronomy

- What sort of astronomy do you enjoy? Visual? astro-Imaging? Both?

- What equipment have you owned?

- What equipment is in or will go into the observatory?

- What was your path to building an observatory

- Tell us about the design & construction but please start with the footprint size for both the observing area and warm room! Wall & pier height? How did you determine that?

- How did you isolate piers?

- I note the warm room is south?

- What sort of rolling mechanism/rollers?

- Is the roof powered?

- I note you insulated? So will you climate control / AC in summer? 

- Plans for use and; 

- There was something vaguely familiar, I note some of the features from "A Crayford Type Observatory" https://crayfordmanorastro.com/2019/02/11/a-crayford-type-roll-off-roof-observatory/

- Next steps

 

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The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.


Imagine a daily conversation about the cosmos, where each sunrise brings a fresh perspective from a different corner of the globe. That’s the essence of The 365 Days of Astronomy. Born from the spirit of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, this enduring project has evolved into a genuine community effort, releasing a new episode every single day. You won’t hear the same host each time; instead, the microphone passes to astronomers, educators, enthusiasts, and scientists, each sharing their unique passion and expertise. This structure means the tone and topic can shift wonderfully from one day to the next-you might delve into the mechanics of a black hole on Tuesday and then explore ancient celestial myths on Wednesday. The consistent thread is a shared wonder for the universe, presented in accessible, bite-sized pieces. Managed by Avivah Yamani and edited by Richard Drumm, this daily podcast is a production of the Planetary Science Institute, sustained by listener support. It’s a calendar of the cosmos, offering a daily moment of reflection and discovery that proves you don’t need a telescope to have your perspective shifted. Tuning in regularly builds a habit of cosmic curiosity, connecting the vastness of space to the rhythm of our own days.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The 365 Days of Astronomy
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